Jaw injury on a chick

[BirdLeaf]

Seems like this is the only section I ever post in! I was out feeding and watering my chicks and noticed one who I thought was panting. Upon closer inspection, I found what appears to be an unhinged jaw. He’s got some crust at the corners of his mouth, and his jaw is hanging slightly (not as much as pictured).

I’ve isolated him and gave him some soupy chick starter. What do I do? Thank you in advance

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

@azygous @casportpony can you guys help?

 

[azygous]

How unfortunate! It appears to be a broken or dislocated lower jaw or beak. Can you check the brooder or pen to see if there is any place where a chick could get its head stuck, requiring it to injure itself trying to get free?

What to do now? I would try to fix it, but being aware that chances are it won't work. Try first to gently wiggle the jaw back into position, being careful to avoid any extreme movements. Whatever you do needs to be very minimal.

If you have vet wrap, cut slim strips and see if you can rig a "chin support" but leave the beak room to open and close just enough for the chick to eat and drink.

You're in uncharted territory here, unless someone else comes along who has experienced this phenomenon. If the chick is going to heal, it will be fast. I'd say if it's still like this in three or four days, you will need to think about compassionately ending its suffering.

 

[BirdLeaf]

How unfortunate! It appears to be a broken or dislocated lower jaw or beak. Can you check the brooder or pen to see if there is any place where a chick could get its head stuck, requiring it to injure itself trying to get free?

What to do now? I would try to fix it, but being aware that chances are it won't work. Try first to gently wiggle the jaw back into position, being careful to avoid any extreme movements. Whatever you do needs to be very minimal.

If you have vet wrap, cut slim strips and see if you can rig a "chin support" but leave the beak room to open and close just enough for the chick to eat and drink.

You're in uncharted territory here, unless someone else comes along who has experienced this phenomenon. If the chick is going to heal, it will be fast. I'd say if it's still like this in three or four days, you will need to think about compassionately ending its suffering.

Thank you! So far he’s managed to almost completely close his mouth, now it’s only open slightly. He’s still in obvious pain though. My boyfriend managed to somewhat clean out the corners of his mouth, after that I looked away because I’m a huge wuss, but he did something and it seemed to have helped a little. I just checked on him and it seems he’s good to fly and perch. His mouth isn’t totally closed but it’s better than what it was.
Forgive the mess in the pictures, he’s in the storage/chicken room in the house

 

[azygous]

This is encouraging! The mouth hinge doesn't appear broken. Probably tissue swelling now keeps the beak from closing.

Offer this chick electrolytes. Or sugar water. Warm, not cold. It may be in pain and shock from it. You can also dissolve about half a baby aspirin in the sugar water for pain. That will also help reduce the tissue swelling.

 

[azygous]

That appears to be a pullet, by the way, maybe a Wyandotte?

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I sure hope the chick will recover

 

[BirdLeaf]

That appears to be a pullet, by the way, maybe a Wyandotte?

I got a shipment of some birds and I know some are Wyandottes, this one very well may be one. It’s about a month old, maybe a little more. I hope she’s a hen! I just call them all “he” until I know for sure.
I’ve got some bird pain killers from the vet, I’m thinking I might crush it up and offer some. Luckily I’ve got some electrolytes on hand and hopefully this sweetie will be back on her feet!

 

[BirdLeaf]

Thank you everyone, I’ll post an update later

 

[azygous]

On the pain killers from the vet, were they for poultry? Or for cats? Or dogs? If it says "...caine" anywhere on the label, do not give to chickens. Aspirin is a far safer alternative and it will reduce inflammation faster.